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Use of CCTV in domestic premises
21/01/2016

Constituents sometimes complain to their MPs that a neighbour's
CCTV camera is "intrusive" and ask what the law says.

The House of Commons Library has produced a briefing for MPs on
the use of CCTV in domestic premises by neighbours which councils
may also find to be a useful guide for staff, councillors and
tenants.

The use of CCTV in general is regulated by the Data Protection
Act 1998 (which implements a 1995 EU Directive). However, the use
of cameras for limited household purposes is exempt from the Act,
providing that the field of view is limited to the householder's
own property.

If the camera covers areas beyond the boundaries of the
property, such as neighbouring gardens or the street, then the
camera operator may be unable to rely on the exemption. This point
was established by a European Court of Justice ruling in December
2014. Given the interdependence of the UK and EU legislation, the
judgment had implications for the United Kingdom, which had
previously taken a more relaxed view of domestic CCTV use.

There are other grounds on which the domestic use of CCTV could
be challenged, for example if its use amounted to harassment under
theProtection from Harassment Act 1997. The relevance of the
legislation would depend on the specific circumstances.